The key elements required to maintain final wall integrity and hence slope reliability are discussed. Failure modes and mechanisms in highly structured rock slopes are then reviewed. The impact of blast disturbance on rock masses in general is discussed and the relationships between the slope failure mode and blast disturbance is then explored. The question of how designers can incorporate such impacts into the slope design process is then addressed. This necessarily involves rock mass strength consideration and two case studies are used to demonstrate a recent dilemma in this regard. Some progress regarding this dilemma has also been reported for the second case study. The major conclusions are that: Slope reliability can be severely compromised if the slopes are damaged by blasting and this impact is not often incorporated into the slope design process.The location and extent of the blast damage will impact some slope failure geometries and failure mechanisms more than others. The concept of failure mechanism specific vulnerability needs to be further developed.The evidence indicates that this aspect is even more extreme for weak ground conditions.The quantification of the reduction in rock mass strength due to blast damage is not well understood and limitations exist with some recent guidelines.The use of the Hoek-Brown criterion for slopes in blocky rock masses requires considerable judgement. Further applied developments in this regard would be very beneficial to the industry.Some promising methods to incorporate blast damage estimates into the slope design process are emerging.It is good business to minimise final wall blast damage otherwise a whole range of issues relating to reduced slope reliability emerge.